Boris Johnson in intensive care with coronavirus, what could this mean?

Boris Johnson has been taken to intensive care after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.

The prime minister tested positive for the infection 10 days ago after developing its tell-tale fever and cough.

Johnson claimed his symptoms were “mild” and he would continue to virtually lead the government’s fight against the coronavirus outbreak while self-isolating.

A spokesperson announced the 55-year-old father-to-be was admitted to hospital on Sunday evening for “precautionary tests” as a result of his “persistent symptoms”.

After tweeting he was in “good spirits” on Monday, a 10 Downing Street spokesperson confirmed Johnson was moved to intensive care at St Thomas’ Hospital that afternoon when his condition took a turn for the worse.

He is said to be conscious and does not yet require a ventilator to help him breathe.

Around two-thirds of patients require a ventilator within 24 hours of being admitted to intensive care, the BBC reported.

Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe.

Coronavirus: Why are ventilators required?

Ventilators can either be non-invasive – when a mask is placed over a patient’s nose and mouth, or invasive – a tube down their throat.

COVID-19 patients may require “help breathing for over a week”, according to Professor Hill.

“Intensive care ventilators have sophisticated software and sensors to enable them to adjust the way they work around the needs of the patient, and to change the amount of oxygen inhaled with the air,” he said.

“There is no doubt this turn of events means Boris Johnson is extremely sick”.

Professor Hill previously explained how patients who require assistance breathing may “manage with the help of oxygen”, while those with more serious difficulties “end up being put on a ventilator that breathes for them”.

“This can involve heavy sedation and sometimes the patient needs to be paralysed,” he said.

When asked what tests the prime minister may have previously undergone, Dr Rupert Beale from the Francis Crick Institute said: “Doctors will be monitoring important vital signs such as oxygen saturations.

“They will also check blood tests to see what the immune response to the virus looks like, and to assess liver and kidney function.

“They will perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the heart.

“More sophisticated tests may include a CT scan of the chest to get an accurate picture of the lungs.”

Based on these results, medics decide the best way to deliver oxygen, added Dr Beale.

Dr Bharat Pankhania from the University of Edinburgh said: “The plan is to enable oxygen exchange, enable the lungs to recover, and whilst they are recovering we give a much higher does of oxygen to them as a tool to assist with keeping patients adequately oxygenated and prevent damage to other organs too.”

Professor Mike Grocott, vice president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, stressed “being in an intensive care unit isn’t all about being on a ventilator”.

“Intensive care is where life support takes place,” he said.

“Medical teams within intensive care units will always carefully assess as to when, and whether the use of full ventilation support is needed for any patient.

“A skilled team will carry out all procedures necessary including intubating the patient’s windpipe and inserting tubes or catheters into veins and arteries in order to enable second-by-second monitoring and support the administration of complex drugs.

“In extremely serious cases, the use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine (like a heart lung machine used for cardiac bypass surgery) takes over some of the function of the lungs”.

Professor Linda Bauld from the University of Edinburgh called the prime minister’s admission to intensive care a “huge concern”, claiming it “illustrates just how indiscriminate this virus is”.

Dr James Gill from Warwick Medical School added: “We do not have enough information to speculate about the condition of Mr Johnson.

“He is just another patient who is currently running the marathon of the COVID-19”.

Virtually unheard of at the start of the year, no one who has immunity to the coronavirus unless they have already overcome the infection.

The vast majority of deaths worldwide are in the elderly or already ill.

Johnson is not thought to have any pre-existing health conditions.

The coronavirus’ death rate is unclear, however, only those who develop complications are thought to be succumbing to the infection.

Only hospitalised patients are routinely being tested for the coronavirus in the UK, with these patients being severe by definition.

This skews the death rate, with milder cases in the community not being included in the calculations.

On a global scale, fatality rates also vary according to the country’s health infrastructure.